A recent analysis by Dumfries and Galloway Council of the series of festivals and events held in the region in late 2018 has shown that they generated more than £6 million.

The 20th annual Wigtown Book Festival had an economic impact of £3.75m, the Electric Fields music festival £1.45m, the Stranraer Oyster Festival up to £1.1m and the Galloway Hills Rally £120,000.

The events covered in the analysis are all funded by the council as part of its Major Events and Festivals Strategy 2018-2021.

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£847,250 of National Lottery Funding has been awarded to 41 recipients through Creative Scotland’s Open Project Fund.  Among the recipients is Penpont-based author and poet Hugh McMillan.

The poet has received an Open Project award, to enable him to research and write a book called Littoral, about the coasts of Galloway, Isle of Man, north and western Ireland, north west England, the Isle of Man, Wales, Kintyre, Morvern and the Inner Hebrides.

McMillan, formerly a teacher at Annan Academy and Dumfries Academy, has received several bursaries from the Scottish Arts Council and Creative Scotland, and in 2014 was awarded the very first literature commission by the Wigtown Book Festival to create a work inspired by the 19th Century work 'The Scottish Gallovidian Encyclopaedia' by John Mactaggart.

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DG Unlimited held its 2018 conference at GG’s Yard, Laggan on Wednesday December 5th.
 
This day-long event  provided a forum for exchanging news and views, showcasing contemporary creative practice and sharing practical information. 

The packed programme included keynote speeches from Jim Buchanan, labyrinth maker and artist, and Catriona McGhie of the DG Arts Festival. There were live music performances, a spoken word performance delivered by Sue McCormick, acclaimed actor, writer and director, and ‘small-talk’ sessions where local creative practitioners and activists  discussed their experiences.

As 2018 is the Year of Young People, the conference also featured a call to action, led by Abby Gray of the National Youth Arts Advisory Board, and some of the region’s young people, based on the findings of a recent region-wide Youth Framework consultation.
 
This year’s conference also featured a Spotlight and Showcase zone, where groups and organisations involved in the creative sector can meet with delegates to share their ideas, work and services.

Read more about Creative Routes 2018.

A colourful new artwork has been created in Sanquhar to mark the crossing point of the Southern Upland Way and the cycle route from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

Artists Toubie Jack, Lorraine Melissa and David Rushton worked with Sanquhar Primary 7 pupils over the summer to create the artwork, a mural which brightens up the outside of the public loos, and on Tuesday 6th November they formally handed it over to Dumfries and Galloway Council.

David Rushton said: “The pupils and artists chose the theme to celebrate the meeting place of cyclists and walkers on two epic and challenging journeys. It was a really enjoyable project for everyone involved and was great for these young people to be involved in creating a piece of art that will last for many years. We’re also delighted to have had the opportunity to transform a very plain exterior into something the whole community, as well as visitors from all round the world, can enjoy.”

Toubie Jack showed the pupils how to paint landscape and forest scenes via a live TV link from her studio in Manchester, while David Rushton brought in bike parts and walking gear for the children to draw in the school art class. Toubie and Lorraine Melissa then worked with pupils at weekends to create the mural.

The project was funded through the Council and DGU’s Regional Arts Fund, which is now inviting applications for projects in 2019/20.

Councillor Andy Ferguson, Chairman of the Communities Committee, who received the mural on behalf of the Council, said: “This is an excellent example of how getting involved in the arts can help young people learn new skills while creating something really impressive, of which their whole community can be proud.”

Cathy Agnew, Chair of DG Unlimited, said: “I’m delighted to see the Regional Arts Fund supporting projects like this, which bring people of all ages together to develop their creativity and make a positive difference to their local area.”
 
Find out more about the Dumfries and Galloway Regional Arts Fund 2018/19.

Moat Brae will soon open as the new National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling and it's looking for volunteers aged 14 to 26 who would like to help run a major community takeover event at the house in December. 
 
The event, called Mutiny, will be a fantastic community takeover day and forms an important part of Moat Brae’s Dreams for the Future Festival, one of the final Year of Young People events for Dumfries and Galloway.  Moat Brae will invite the people of Dumfries and Galloway to come along and find out more about Moat Brae and how it intends to help champion young creativity throughout the area and beyond.
 
Mutiny will take place between 11 and 3pm on Saturday 1st December 2018 at Moat Brae House and will feature a variety of fun experiences.  There will be in-character storytellers, face painters and wonderful arts and craft activities provided by professional artists.  Visitors will enjoy a sneak peek at the interiors of the house and will have a chance to sample some of the exciting things the new centre will have to offer.  They will be able to talk to the Moat Brae team and learn more about how it hopes to inspire, encourage and educate people of all ages.
 
If you help run a youth organisation that would like to take part in this event or would like to learn more about the Dreams of the Future festival or Moat Brae itself, please contact John Molloy at john@peterpanmoatbrae.org

Calling all makers, artists, designers, crafters, creators, independent businesses, street food vendors, and artisan food and drinks producers. Applications are now open for The Guild's Dumfries Makers Market on December 2nd from 12 noon until 7pm, as part of the Christmas Lights Switch On.

The Guild are working in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council, Moat Brae and other organisations to bring a spectacular Christmas experience to the streets of Dumfries. Celebrating the Year of Young People and the forthcoming launch of Moat Brae next year, the Makers Market will be taking over the High street from Queensberry Square to Burns Statue.

Want to become a trader and be part of it? The Guild would love to hear from you.

Applications must be submitted by midnight on the 19th October.

Find out more...

DGU and Upland are joining forces to offer 1:1 advice sessions this month in Moffat and Stranraer.

These sessions are open to creative practitioners seeking advice on their practice, and to businesses looking to get involved with Upland, Spring Fling or the D&G creative sector in general.

1:1 slots are 30 minutes each (maximum) and will be allocated on a first-come-first served basis.

For more info and to book your slot please email: amy@weareupland.com.

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Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Regional Events Growth Fund is now open for applications.

As part of their strategy for supporting festivals and events in the region, the council has opened a regional events growth fund. The purpose of this fund is to help smaller scale events to grow and develop.

To qualify to apply to become a Regional Growth Event, an event must have:

1. taken place at least twice in the past three years (2015-2017)
   
2. had a financial budget of £10,000 or more the last time the event took place
   
3. attracted a minimum of 300 unique visitors the last time the event took place
   
4. clear tourism potential, for example the ability to attract new visitors to Dumfries and Galloway
   

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 26th October 2018.

Find out more from Dumfries and Galloway Council.